S.O.S. in Florida

[highdesertranger]

ok so it sounds like your serpentine belt, I guess. like I was trying to explain earlier you really can't tell by driving if it's fuel related. could be electrical, what comes to mind right off the top of my head is the crank position sensor if you have an interrupted signal from that it feels like a fuel starvation problem(miss). but this is only one of many things. like I said you need to find someone that knows what they are doing. highdesertranger

 

[Dandelion]

Here's an update. Since I put a fuel additive (fuel injection cleaner) in the gas tank and filled up a few times with premium gas, the problem with the engine sputtering and bucking has slowly dissipated. Over the last few hundred miles, I haven't experienced any hiccups and have had a smooth running engine. I have driven about 700 miles since my original post. I can't tell you how relieved I am that the problem seems to have disappeared! Still, I am skeptical and I have made a list of all the suggested culprits from your helpful comments, so that I can have a trusted friend/mechanic help me when I get to my destination. Thanks to everyone for helping me with this

For awhile I was sure I would have to cancel my RTR plans. I sure don't want to miss that ^^

 

[highdesertranger]

good deal, glad you got her going. highdesertranger

 

[Bela's Mom]

I am so glad that the problem seems to have resolved. Hope it continues!

Take care and have fun.

 

[compassrose]

Sounds like you had water in your fuel.

 

[offroad]

Would be upset about all that parts I put in to fix bad fuel. Is there an easy way to test bad fuel ?

 

[highdesertranger]

to check for water is real easy. disconnect a fuel line and activate the fuel pump, pump the fuel into a clear glass jar, let the gas settle, you will be able to see the water on the bottom of the jar(looks like when you put vinegar in oil and don't mix). here's a warning if your vehicle is fuel injected the fuel will come out at very high pressure, be very careful. if you have just a little water in your fuel you can get an additive that will get it out. if you have a lot of water it's best to get it out manually. the easiest way to do this is to let the vehicle sit for about a hour then siphon the water out of the gas, the water will be at the bottom of your tank so make sure you siphon off the bottom. when you think you got it all put the additive in to remove the remaining water. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Uhm, I thought most vehicles built in the last twenty years or so all had anti-syphon screens in their fuel tanks?

Regards
John

 

[highdesertranger]

ha ha I was waiting for that one. at least someone is paying attention. if you can't get a siphon hose down the fill neck you have to pull the fill hose and siphon from there. does anybody know what problem the anti siphon doohickeys caused? highdesertranger

 

[gypsychic]

That would be a fun game - mechanical trivia pursuit. Fun and educational at the same time.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

That gas thieves now just punch a hole in the bottom of your fuel tank?

Regards
John

 

[highdesertranger]

optimistic paranoid wins. now you just don't loose your gas but they ruin your gas tank. unintended consequences of what seems like idea. highdesertranger

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Well, not ruined in the sense that you HAVE to buy a new tank. There are fiberglass patching kits designed for fixing gas tanks. JBWeld is also said to be pretty good for fixing holes in gas tanks.

Pain in the ass to have to deal with, though.

Regards
John

 

[highdesertranger]

true but sometimes the patch fails. you know the hole is on the bottom, gas is a solvent, a lot of people don't do the patch right, gravity, murphy. highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

That would be a fun game - mechanical trivia pursuit. Fun and educational at the same time.

Maybe we should have a new thread set up just for 'Mechanical Trivia Pursuit'

I'm not much good at regular trivia pursuit but this sounds like fun!!

And some of us would learn something too.

I've patched tank holes with JBWeld before but I sure wouldn't try it on the bottom side. Gas is way too expensive here to be playing with it like that. A crack up near the top of the tank yes, a puncture on the bottom where I could (and surely would) lose a $100. in gas..not a chance.

 

[LeeRevell]

Use the JB Weld to glue a piece of sheet metal over the hole, then slather it over with more JB Weld. Should work fine. I've had very good performance with JB Weld.

 

[ccbreder]

to check for water is real easy. disconnect a fuel line and activate the fuel pump, pump the fuel into a clear glass jar, let the gas settle, you will be able to see the water on the bottom of the jar(looks like when you put vinegar in oil and don't mix). here's a warning if your vehicle is fuel injected the fuel will come out at very high pressure, be very careful. if you have just a little water in your fuel you can get an additive that will get it out. if you have a lot of water it's best to get it out manually. the easiest way to do this is to let the vehicle sit for about a hour then siphon the water out of the gas, the water will be at the bottom of your tank so make sure you siphon off the bottom. when you think you got it all put the additive in to remove the remaining water. highdesertranger

On a fuel injected engine, this is not easy to do and if you don't know what you are doing, could be very dangerous.
I'm glad it was just a fuel problem, get your fuel filters changed, they are probably sledged.

 

[Dandelion]

Maybe we should have a new thread set up just for 'Mechanical Trivia Pursuit'

Ha ha! I would soooo FAIL at that game ^;^